5 replies to this topic

[100lols]

1. Location (on a map) of collection: El Cajon Mountain, Lakeside, CA
2. Date of collection: July 31st, 2023
3. Habitat of collection: Chaparral
4. Length (from head to gaster):
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture: reddish-brown color
6. Distinguishing characteristics: large head and mandibles
7. Distinguishing behavior: harvesting during day
8. Nest description: sandy nest on the side of a small slope
9. Nuptial flight time and date:






Beautiful ants! I didn’t have the patience to get better pictures… Found two queens digging founding chambers near these workers. No pictures of them, but I’m hoping if I can figure out a species I’ll know what kind of queens I have.

Pogonomyrmex sp. seem to be especially hard for me to identify… I’m guessing Pogonomyrmex occidentalis?

Thanks for all your help!

Cheers,
Dax London

[ReignofRage]

P. subnitidus.

[100lols]

P. subnitidus.

What makes you say Pogonomyrmex subnitidus?

[ReignofRage]

P. subnitidus is the only P. occidentalis-group species in that area of Southern California. The species group can be deduced by the propropodeum (spines).

Edited by ReignofRage, September 2 2023 - 11:26 AM.

[100lols]

Awesome!!! Thank you so much for explaining. That’s what made me think occidentalis.

Cheers,
Dax London

[100lols]

Here is one of the queens found near those workers.